Ecija’s Town Council
Tourist Departament |
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ROUTES THROUGH ECIJA |
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ROMAN ROUTE
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Municipal History Museum Benameji Palace
The areas dedicated to the Roman period are the most interesting, and they are divided into the following sections:
“Wounded Amazon” Exhibition.
At the Palace’s stables a collection with all the archaeological remains from the Espana Square (popularly known as El Salon) is exhibited: friezes, sculptures, capitals, columns, etc. The most outstanding piece is perhaps the “Wounded Amazon”, a sculpture more than 2 metres tall that was found intact and with rests of its original polychromy inside a Roman pool and next to another interesting archaeological findings.
Roman mosaics
At the central patio of the Palace two large mosaics can be watched, both of great quality, depicting human figures, animals, plants and mythological beings.
Olive Oil Exportation
On the Ist century b. C., Roman emperor Augustus founded the Colonia Augusta Firma Astigi.
Astigi’s colony turned into the capital of a district specialized in oil production for exportation becoming the Empire’s highest exporting volume centre between the IInd and IIIrd centuries AD.
In this room the oil production and distribution complete chain is reconstructed: slaves agriculture and olive cultivation, amphorae making for storage, a kiln recreation, information about the potters’ stamps, river (Genil-Guadalquivir) and sea transport (reconstruction of a ship carrying oil, information about sailing) and distribution networks of the product throughout the Roman Empire.
Life and houses in Astigi.
Daily use objects from the Roman period are shown; they come from archaeological excavations or accidental findings: sculptures, mosaics, capitals, toiletries, harnesses, decorative items, games, ointment glass vases, etc.
Roman inscriptions A collection of funerary inscriptions mentioning different social groups is exhibited at the Palace’s patio.
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Opening Hours:
From October to May:
From Tuesday to Friday:09.30 to 13.30 and from 16.30 to 18.30 h.
Saturdays and Sundays from 09.00 to 14.00 h.
From June to September:
From Tuesday to Sunday: 09.00 to 14.00 h.
Free Entrance.
(If you wish to go upstairs to one of the belvederes you have to pay 1 euro per person; this money is aimed for one Association pro-Disabled People).
Note: the Museum puts at its visitor's disposal a free guide; the only requisite is the previous reservation at one of the telephone numbers above mentioned.
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Santa Maria’s Church
At the columned churchyard interesting Roman archaeological collection is shown.
These are uncatalogued materials found at some excavations from last decades.
Maybe the most remarkable item of this collection is the “Head of Germanicus” sculpture in marble, of great interest for German tourists.
It is exhibited at the Parish Archives placed at the churchyard.
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Opening Hours:
From May to September,
From Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 13.00 h. and from 18.00 to 21.00 h.
Sundays from 10.00 to 13.00 h.
From October to April,
From Monday to Saturday: 10.00 to 13.00 h. and from 17.30 to 19.00 h.
Sundays from 10.00 to 13.00 h.
Free Entrance.
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Town Hall
When we walk from Santa Maria Church to the Town Hall, at a corner of the Town Hall there is a Roman column, it is an architectonic element of the building.
Once you are inside, you can ask for a guide at the Tourist Office; he or she will show you the Chapterhouse with its splendid Roman mosaic from the IIIrd century AD depicting “Queen Dirce’s Sacrifice”. This guiding service is free.
It shows a mythological scene of Queen Dirce being tied to a bull’s back by two young men to be sacrificed.
The two young men are Amphion and Zethus, sons of Antiope, Queen of Thebes; her ambitious sister Dirce dethroned her.
Both children were abandoned and grew up without knowing about their royal blood.
Once they were adult men and finally discovered who they really were, they did not give up until they took revenge from their aunt and punished Dirce tying her to a bull.
However, after her death, the gods took pity on her and caused a spring to flow where she was buried. |
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Camera Obscura
It is accessible from the Tourist Office.
The camera obscura consists on a periscope that can be used by the visitors to contemplate the monuments and archaeological excavations of the España Square (very well preserved Roman Public Baths, remains of Roman buildings, etc.) whereas a guide explains all in great detail.
This visit is completed with an audiovisual projection about Ecija’s History and visits through an expositions’ hall and a panoramic belvedere.
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Opening Hours:
From Monday to Sunday: 10:30 to 13:30 h.
There will be an only show for groups of less than 10 people at 12:30 h.
Entry Price: 2,50 €
Special Prices for groups of 10 or more people, students and old people groups.
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Penaflor Palace Belvedere
It is located at the Espana Square or Plaza, next to the Town Hall, a curious looking building with columns and arches.
The Belvederes were built along the XVIIIth century by Ecijan noblemen, in this case by the Marquises of Peñaflor.
They were aimed to watch the feasts and fairs celebrated at the Square since the XVIth century: religious festivities, cattle markets, even bullfighting.
On the ground floor four Roman columns can be seen as part of the building portico.
Location:
Espana Sq.
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Opening Hours:
Visits are not allowed. Private property.
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Santa Barbara's Church
It is also located at the Espana Square (el Salon).
According the legend there used to be a Roman Temple dedicated to the Sun in the same place.
In fact, there is enough information to think that the Forum (or Main Square of Roman towns) was placed in the same area.
Besides, two large granite columns flank the present temple facade –of neoclassic style-.
One of them (the one with a greenish colour) comes from the Roman period.
Other columns of the same size and type have been found at the Roman excavations of the Square and a nearby building, the Valdehermoso Palace, took also some and included them in its entrance.
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Opening Hours:
From May to September,
From Monday to Thursday: 10.00 to 13.30 h.
Fridays from 10.30 to 13.30 h. and from 19.00 h. to 21.30 h.
Saturdays from 10.00 h. to 13.00 h.
Sundays from 19.00 to 21.00 h.
From October to April,
From Monday to Thursday: 10.00 to 13.30 h.
Fridays from 10.30 to 13.30 h. and from 17.30 h. to 20.00 h.
Saturdays from 10.00 h. to 13.00 h.
Sundays from 17.00 to 20.30 h.
Free Entrance.
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Santa Cruz Church
Inside the High Church of the Holy Cross there is a Palaeochristian sarcophagus from the Vth century at the High Altar.
Location:
Virgen del Valle Square.
Tel. 95 483 06 13
www.museosantacruz.com |
Opening Hours:
From May to September:
From Monday to Saturday: 09.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 h.
Sundays from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00 h.
From October to April:
From Monday to Saturday: 9.00 to 13.00 and from 18.00 to 20.00 h
Sundays from 10.00 to 13.00 and from 18.00 to 21.00 h.
Free Entrance.
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